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Thursday, November 20, 2014

EVENT | A taste of Saint Lucia with Chef Nina Compton has us dreaming about a getaway to the tropical island!

What comes to your mind when you hear about Saint Lucia? Of course the obvious would be the sunny climate, rainforest, their famous cocoa and beaches and ocean... but what about their diverse culinary profile, street food, and Top Chef finalist & fan favourite, Chef Nina Compton? We had the pleasure of getting a taste of Saint Lucia with a menu inspired by Nina's native, Saint Lucia and cocoa.

Having been a Top Chef fan, I've been watching chef Nina Compton cook her way to the finals on season 11 and quickly became a fan. She's also the current Culinary Ambassador of Saint Lucia!

Her recipes are inspired by her native Saint Lucia and this night was no different. Each dish, beginning from the appetizer, entree to dessert, plus the cocktails were created highlighting cocoa, as the Island grows some of the finest grade of cocoa in the world.

Cocoa isn't the only thing Saint Lucia is proud to offer its guests. The vibrant island is much more than a sun vacation or a , but it's a destination for foodies, romance and adventure seekers with attractions such as Piton Mountains (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), a rainforest with volcanos, upscale dining as well as street food and more. Being categorized in the foodies market, we would love to take a trip to Saint Lucia for a true farm to table experience - after all, they source fresh food from their land and sea!

However, for the time being, we were happily being spoiled with Nina's cocoa-tastic menu:

Photo by: Becca Lemire

Cocoa Tea Martini

Photo by: Becca Lemire

Cocoa Dusted Tuna Tataki with mango

Photo by: Becca Lemire

Chocolate BBQ Meatballs

Spiced Chocolate Soup with Fois Gras & Baby Vegetables

Cocoa Braised Short-ribs, Polenta & Baby Vegetables

Pumpkin Budino with Salted Caramel & Chocolate Crumble

Now, there you have it! What a wonderful night of a deliciously crafted menu. It has me dreaming about eating my way through the island! My favourite was definitely the dessert - it has to be the best dessert I have had... and I'm not exaggerating.